Isn't it amazing, a few short months ago, we Kiwi rugby fans were first reeling from yet another 'shock' exit from yet another world cup.  Why do we get surprised now?  We'd probably lose if the other 19 spots in the RWC were made up from Golden Oldies teams!

Then we were reeling from the news that every player, bar the baggage men, from the All Black squad had signed up with some cash heavy (or formerly cash heavy) NH club, and lamenting that we'd have no class players to watch come Super 14 time.

Well, we are now in round seven of the Super 14, and I for one reckon that the departure of these players have made the rugby much more interesting, for both the fans, and the baggage men that have been left behind to re-launch the star ship All Black!

In some cases the departures have been rather ho hum, has he gone, I hardly noticed.  In fact, thinking a bit harder, I think they all are in that case.  It might be a bit different when the All Blacks are selected, but even then, i think it will just be in the one case, and that being Carl Hayman.  They say that no man is indispensable, and they are right, but the big rizzly Adams look-a-like is the nearest thing to it.

Of the rest, Chris Jack, oh, is he gone?  Greg Rawlinson, who?  Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister, Sammy Tuitupou, forgot they existed.  Byron Kelleher, always injured anyway, Anton Oliver, Saimone Taumoepeau, who did they play for again?  Rico Gear, Doug Howlett, I just thought they were injured (or playing away from home)...  The list could go on, Johnny Leo'o, Marty Holah, Stephen Bates, Angus MacDonald, Clark Dermody, all gone.

But this is good, a cleaning out of the dead wood, bringing in the new blood, and I expect it will be a four year cycle for the top players, hanging on for the RWC, and then cashing in on the big offers.  The second tier players, journeymen if you will, will continue to chase the dollars as and when they come, so that drain will be constant, lessening though in the RWC years when the big names go on the block.

So the departures have left holes, that I think for the most part are already filled - while obviously not with players as experienced though, they look to have the goods at Super level.  And please remember people that say they don't have experience to cut it at international level or words to that effect, all test careers start on ZERO tests, so basically, that is a fucked up argument!!  When Mauger had his first test match, no one knew how he was going to go, his selection was based on good form in the NPC and at Super level.  He obviously went well at test level too, and 45 tests later, is now retired (interesting to note that Mauger never lost a test match to France in his career) from international football. 

Anyway, the holes that are filled and the leaving of the old guard will not be felt to harshly.  Everywhere but from tighthead prop, Carl Hayman, the exception to the rule.

At tighthead, Greg Somerville will do the job, and do it well, if selected.  However, he does not have the all round game that Hayman had, and his scrum work, while his strong suit, still does not measure up to Hayman.  The Kiwi scrum will not struggle with Somerville their, but also will not dominate as it did over the last few seasons.  The other options at tighthead, the longer term ones in Afoa and Tialata, well, Tialata seems well off the pace this season, with Afoa for mine clearly the number two number three in New Zealand behind Somerville. 

The locking loss of Jack, and to a lesser extent Rawlinson and Robinson (retired), will be filled with a blink.  The return from injury of Jason Eaton, and from league of Brad Thorn, replace like with like.  A genuine ball winner, and a grunter gone, and one of each back.  You also have the underrated Ross Filipo of Wellington and the young blood-nut James Ryan back in the next six months or so too from injury, so Jack going is really no great loss at this stage.  Hell, you can even throw Troy Flavell into the mix for this season if needed, and Jono Gibbes, injury permitting...

Hooker, old Grenade Face finally calling it quits in New Zealand.  We'll miss his thesaurus testing after match speeches, but not much else.  Mealamu clearly the best rake in New Zealand, with Hore and Flynn next cabs off the rank.  Hell, even Tom Willis would not let the All Black jersey down if he was thrown one.  If Mealamu was crocked though, then it would be a bit thin there, but not to worry, someone will step into the breech if needs arise, they always do!

So that's the pack.  The biggest loss of these players though is not really the players and their abilites themselves, but their experience, the 150+ caps that they bought to the table.  But I think the 'new boys' will do well - Somerville has more test experience than Hayman at any rate, Oliver was playing less and less anyway, and Eaton, well, young keen and with a propensity for bad haircuts, the boy will go far!!

The blouses, well, we lost Kelleher at halfback, but he has not been in form for a fair while anyway.  We lost half the midfield players in New Zealand, but have had new players in outstanding form replacing them in their respective Super 14 sides.  Finally we have also lost two world class wings, but that does not matter too much really, as we did have a set of four to start with anyway, although the workaholic attributes of Doug Howlett will be missed.

To replace these pretty boys, well, not too hard for halfback, not really, plenty of promise in Andy Ellis and Brendon Leonard, both young enough to be around for a few years too.  Also Piri Weepu, the enigma man of New Zealand rugby.  Had the world at his feet at the start of last season, and then went on to become the only R&R All Black to not be selected for the RWC.  Could be a really, really, really good All Black (hate the way 'great' is thrown around all the time), but seems to lack that vital top two inches.  So Kelleher, so long and thanks for the memories, but you won't be missed.

Midfield, that is where it will hurt, probably more so as we have not had a regular centre three quarter for about the last half century - since Tana in fact.  So we can't slot a second five in between Carter and 'Mr regular centre' and let him do his thing.  We'll have to slot in two newbies (relatively) at 12 and 13 and hope for the best.  At the moment, Stpehen Brett and Benson Stanley would have to have the front running for the 12 shirt, and be looking to combine with Toeava, Smith or Laulala.  Perhaps Super 14 combinations could be used here - Toeava and Stanley or Brett and Laulala.  Anyway, the midfield will be experimental at best this season.  That won't matter though, as it has been experimental since Tana left anyway...

The wing spots left sort of vacant by Sideshow Doug and 'I won't play away from home' Rico have a plethora of players ready to step into the breach.  Fist up you can of course slot Sitiveni and Rokocoko straight into the side and you have lost nothing.  However, as these two are the laziest of the four wingers we had last season, the selectors might look more for a worker wing in the Howlett mould.  I don't think there is one in New Zealand at the moment, not in form anyway - Hamilton fits the bill, but is so out of form at the moment it is not funny.

So of the current crop of wings, who to take the spots?  For mine, in order of what I think will be selected it Anthony Tuitivake, Ma'a Nonu and then one of many!  Fetu’u Vainikolo must be in with a shot, his out and out pace and ability to beat a man is something that can't be taught.  Put him in an All Black side and watch the tries flow I reckon - would make Rokocoko and Sivivatu  look propesque in the try scoring department!!   The likes of Lelia Masaga and Viliame Waqaseduadua must be in with an outside chance too - more so the former than the latter, but they look of international class to me.

So while the changing of the guard will cause some pain, I don't think it will be as bad as many thought, and still probably think.  Sure, there are times when we will say, "Shit, if Kelleher was here that would never have happened" or the like.  But there will also be moments when we are thinking, "wow, this kid is good, where was he last season"?

All in all then, good for New Zealand rugby methinks.  And thanks for the memories the departed players - and perhaps some of you will add to them in a few years time if you head back this way pre RWC 2011.  That would not be all bad either, although, you are giving the current crop of players a head start!